James simmons



(No Model.)

J. SIMMONS. TRUNK FASTENING.

No. 501,259. Patented July 11, 1893.

k/im Sz'iiziizazzs,

, UNITED STATES JAMES SIMMONS, OF LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY.

TRUNK-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 501,259, dated July 11, 1893.

Application filed August 29, 1892. Serial No. 444,466. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES SIMMONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Long Branch, in the county of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastenings for Trunks, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fastenings designed primarily for trunks and the like, and it has for its objects among others to provide an improved fastening which shall be strong, cheap of manufacture, and durable and efficient in holding the parts together. The hinged part is provided with a pivoted catch which is so located and arranged as to be operated by a finger of the same hand and at the same time that the pivoted part or bail is operated by the thumb. This catchis of novel construction, and its location is also a new one; the lip on the lid is covered and the pivoted part serves to strengthen the connection and prevents the lid from breaking.

. The device is light, easily applied, and the lid cannot be sprung open by throwing of the trunk and dropping of other trunks thereon.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference markedthereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my improvement applied to a trunk with the parts locked. Fig. 2 is a section through the line Y Y of Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in both of the views. 7

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates a portion of the lid and A a portion of the body portion of a trunk, box or other receptacle or inclosure.

B is a plate attached to the body portion A in any suitable manner, as by screws 1), and having projecting therefrom the lug b which is shown as having a rounded under face to conform to the curvature of the bail or link,

but the shape of this lug may of course be changed to correspond with the form of bail or link employed. Its upper face is straight and horizontal; it is shown as hollow for lightness. This plate B has an olfset B above its lower end in which is arranged a plate 0 which is designed to overlap the joint between the lid and body portion as seen in Fig. 2. This plate may be held in place by the upper securing means of the plateB as seen in Fig. 1.

D is a lip or tongue on the body portion designed to engage a socket therefor on the lower edge of the lid as seen in Fig. 2. This socket has a metal lining the front of which is formed by a depending portion act the part which is secured to the lid. This depending portion has an offset 6 as seen in Fig. 2 for the upper end of the plate 0. The partE which is secured to the lid of the trunk in any suitable manner, has the said depending portion e and a portion E which is shown as hollow and within which is pivotally supported the upper cross portion of the bail or linkF around i parts are closed as seen in Fig. 1 and in Fig.

2 by full lines; it is provided with a thumb piece F secured thereto in any suitable manner.

To the bail or link is affixed in any suitable manner a transverse pin or rod Gupon which is pivoted the catch H, which is hollow and within which is arranged a spring I engaging a pin or stud itherein and serving to normally keep the catch closed, the side walls being tapered as seen at z" to provide the movements necessary as seen in Fig. 2. The catch instead of extending the entire width of the bail or link is arranged centrally therein as seen in Fig. 1 and the space upon each side thereof is occupied by the blocks g which are held in place fast on the pin G and carried by the link in any suitable manner and serve to keep the catch in its proper position. The upper end of the catch is designed to engage the under face of the portion E as shown.

The operation will be readily understood; when the lid is closed and the bail or link is brought down its lower cross portion engages beneath the lug b and the catch His held between the upper face of the said lug and the lower face of the portion E; all attempts to disengage the bail or link will be futile until the catch is disengaged which is done as follows:-By simply placing the finger or thumb on the lower end of the said catch and pressing inward as indicated in Fig. 2 the lower end will be forced in and the upper end out from its engagement with the portion E when the bail or link can be moved out of its engagement with the lug b when the spring F acts to throw the bail and its attached parts upward as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. I may sometimes provide a sliding bolt J on the catch to engage the lug b as indicated in Fig. l for additional security.

\Vhat I claim as new is- 1. The combination with the part with a lug and offset, of a plate held in said offset, a part having depending portion with ofiset and a pivoted bail and a pivoted catch I carried thereby, as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination with the parts to be affixed to the lid and body portion, of a pivoted bail, a catch pivoted on the bail and a sliding bolt on the catch, as set forth.

3. The combination with the part to be affixed to the body portion of a trunk and provided with a lug, of the part to be affixed to the lid and having hollow portion, the bail pivoted to the hollow portion, a spring within the hollow portion acting on the bail, and a catch pivoted on the bail and arranged to be engaged between said portion and lug, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SIMMONS.

WVitnesses:

JOHN MISSING, MARCUS ROSENCRANS. 

